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From Poverty to Potholes, Frank Matthews Wants to Fix the City
Frank Matthews has been a preacher, a media consultant and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance. Now, the he wants to become mayor of Birmingham .
The Risk Brooks Took: Choosing Sessions Over Trump
Congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate discusses his decision to criticize President Donald Trump over publicly berating Attorney General Jeff Session.
Arc Stories: July 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded at different Arc Stories events throughout Birmingham. What oneman discovers about his wife when she has to endure a major medical procedure; a young woman who moves to Africa to become a teacher though she has no training in how to do that; what happens to a guy when he inadvertently […]
Trump’s Attacks on Sessions Become Part of U.S. Senate Primary
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the Republican side of the special primary election for U.S. Senate.
Fernandez Sims Says Birmingham Needs A Servant Leader
Brother Fernandez Sims is a Birmingham minister. From his time in the pulpit and counseling people in the community, he says he sees the needs of Birmingham residents. He says he wants to be mayor to address those some of those needs.
Former Chief Justice Roy Moore Campaigns on Return to Morality
As former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, he's not backing away from his opposition to same-sex marriage or his views on religion in government.
Crowded Field of Eight Battle For District 2 Council Seat
There’s only one seat for the Birmingham City Council in District 2, and eight people want it – including the incumbent. The district, which includes the east Birmingham communities of East Lake, Roebuck Springs, Liberty Highlands, Crestwood South, Huffman and several others, has attracted a combination of young professionals and community leaders.
Filling in the Gaps: New Project Connects Lakeview to Pepper Place
There’s a new multimillion-dollar development coming to Lakeview: it’ll have apartments and condos, room for retail and restaurants, and some green space. It’ll be at the former Davis School property at 29th Street and 4th Avenue South. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West about how the project could tie hot […]
Still in Vacation Mode? Tax Holiday Aims to Snap You Out of It
Alabama’s back-to-school sales tax holiday takes place from July 21 - 23. It’s a chance to get folders and highlighters and a lot of clothing tax-free. If it seems awfully early, it’s because it is.
Crime, Education, Jobs Among Top Issues For Birmingham Voters
Many of those running for office in Birmingham, whether for mayor or city council or school board, have their own ideas on how to improve life in the city. But ask some of the city’s 212,000 residents what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same concerns come up over and over again: jobs, education, and crime.
Corruption Probe Moves Beyond Indicted Former State Lawmaker
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses what could be next now that indicted former state lawmaker Oliver Robinson is cooperating with prosecutors in a bribery scandal.
Climate Change Analysis Predicts Losses for South
Scientists and economists have put together a detailed analysis of potential economic damage from climate change. One takeaway: Alabama and the rest of the South could suffer more than other parts of the country.
Residents Worry About More Vacancies at Brookwood Mall
Belk announced last week it will close its store at Brookwood Village Mall. Homewood residents are now wondering what's next?
Professional Soccer League Eyeing Birmingham
A professional soccer league is eyeing Birmingham for expansion.
The Ripple Effect When a Giant Iceberg Breaks Away From Antarctica
This week, scientists watched an iceberg the size of Delaware break away from Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf. The mass of ice that broke off weighs about a trillion tons. It’ll eventually melt, but as UAB polar biologist and Antarctic explorer Jim McClintock tells WBHM’s Dan Carsen, there are some long-term concerns.
Birmingham Weekly Newspaper Halts Publishing
Weld general manager, Heather Milam Nikolich, tells WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli the move is temporary.
Revisiting Birmingham’s Bid to Host the Democratic National Convention
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains why he believes the City of Birmingham's bid to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016 wasn't really about landing the convention.
Randall Woodfin Wants to Revitalize Birmingham Communities
Birmingham lawyer Randall Woodfin grew up in different parts of Birmingham. The 36-year-old is now running for mayor. He says he’s connected to communities from North Birmingham to Southtown. And if elected, he says he would revitalize those neighborhoods outside of downtown.
New Elyton Hotel Blends Old Birmingham With New
The old Colonial Bank Building at the corner of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street downtown stood vacant for years. It now opens as an upscale hotel with a polished face and a plush interior, reminiscent of the city’s history as a center for industry and commerce.
Charlemagne Records Celebrates 40 Years
The Birmingham institution has endured several music format changes from cassette tapes to online streaming. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli popped in to Charlemagne to see what this little shop has done to stay afloat during a time when record stores have almost disappeared.
Series Takes On Alabama’s Racial Achievement Gap
African-American students in Alabama tend not to perform as well on standardized tests as their white counterparts. That’s part of the so-called “achievement gap,” one of the most persistent and touchiest issues in education. But a new data-driven series by Al.com, journalism nonprofit Spaceship Media, and teachers from across Alabama aims to explore and find solutions to those disparities.
Election Commission to States: Hold Voter Info Pending Legal Ruling
President Trump’s election commission sent a letter today asking Secretaries of State to hold off on submitting the voter data it requested pending a federal judge’s ruling on a legal challenge. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order on the commission’s request, saying it was an unprecedented invasion of […]
FAQ: How Would The Republican Health Care Bills Affect You?
This week, Republicans in Congress will try to rally votes for a bill that proposes major changes to the way Americans get health care and how much they pay. In Alabama, many thousands could be affected.
Secretary of State Questions Election Commission Request for Voter Data
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill was in Indianapolis this past weekend for the National Association of Secretaries of State’s annual conference. He says President Donald Trump’s Election Integrity Commission was the center of conversations both in and out of conference sessions. “This is the thing that has dominated almost the entire discussion public and private […]
Industry Report says Birmingham Needs More Apartments
An industry report says Birmingham will need more apartment construction to meet demand through 2030.
Birmingham Races Draw Crowds; A Dozen Candidates in Mayor’s Race
No one gets a free pass into office this year in Birmingham. The 19 races on the ballot for the upcoming City Elections are all contested. The largest number of candidates want the job as mayor.
Tuscaloosa Law Enforcement and University of Alabama Accused of Mishandling Alleged Rape
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the case of Megan Rondini. The former University of Alabama student was allegedly raped and later committed suicide after the family says the university and law enforcement botched her case.
To Prescribe or Not to Prescribe? Opioid Crisis Presents Ethical Dilemma
Deaths from prescription opioids have more than quadrupled since 1999. So today, doctors trying to treat pain face a dilemma: to prescribe, or not to prescribe. To understand the quandary, WBHM’s Dan Carsen checks in with two leading specialists who've agreed to disagree.
Chris Woods Makes Second Run For Mayor of Birmingham
He is a child of the civil rights movement and came of age as his father and uncle battled racial injustice. But Woods, now running to unseat Birmingham Mayor William Bell, has had different struggles that have shaped his own vision for the city. Woods sat down with our Sherrel Wheeler Stewart.
Larry Contri, Former Interim School Superintendent, Vies for a Board Seat
The veteran Birmingham educator, who was interim school superintendent but passed over for the permanent job, is running for a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education. Contri qualified Friday to run in District 3. Mary Drennen Boehm, the former executive director of A+ College Ready Alabama, has also qualified for that race.
Birmingham Election Qualifying Ends This Week — Who’s In?
The list of candidates so far includes several incumbents and other familiar names. Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 7.
Trump Administration Cuts Funding to Anti-White-Supremacy Group
A group that helps people leave white supremacist organizations recently lost a huge federal grant. Officials with Life After Hate say the news was upsetting but not surprising. The Department of Homeland Security rescinded a $400,000 grant awarded by the Obama Administration to Life After Hate. DHS is refocusing its efforts on combating terrorism, according […]
